Wake Forest Baptist Awards, Recognitions and Announcements July 30

Wake Forest University Translational Science Institute Announces New Translational Research Team

The WFU Translational Science Institute (TSI) announced funding of a new translational research team. The funded project Lipotoxicity in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Nephropathy is led by Peter Antinozzi, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry and Barry Freedman, M.D., section chief and professor of nephrology.

The $50,000 award was offered to further the development of novel research ideas generated through the TSI’s 2010 Synergy Symposium Lipotoxicity Across the Translational Spectrum held in April. Proposals were judged by two independent reviewers on scientific merit, translational impact, strength of the investigative team, and potential for extramural funding.

The team was assembled under the leadership of the late Steven Elbein, M.D., former section head of endocrinology. “Our work will always be dedicated to Dr. Elbein," said Freedman. "We will now work to translate this generous investment into a major and externally supported renal gene expression program at the Medical Center."

Nakagawa Awarded 2010 DonorCare Award

Thomas Nakagawa, M.D., professor of pediatric ICU anesthesia, has been awarded the 2010 DonorCare Award. The award, sponsored by the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, is presented bi-annually and recognizes those who have demonstrated a commitment to donor families above and beyond what is currently recognized as the industry standard of care. Nakagawa was nominated by Carolina Donor Services.

The award will be presented on August 3 in Madison, Wis., during the closing ceremonies of the 2010 National Kidney Foundation (NKF) U.S. Transplant Games, a national, Olympic-style competition presented every two years to honor those who have either provided or received an organ donation. Currently over 100,000 men, women and children are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant in the U.S.

Wake Forest Baptist Resident Awarded Medical Dermatology Fellowship

Robert Lott, M.D., a resident in internal medicine at Wake Forest Baptist, has been awarded a medical dermatology fellowship grant from the National Psoriasis Foundation to study new strategies to encourage better adherence to psoriasis treatments.

The fellows were nominated by department chairs and fellowship/residency program directors at their respective universities and hospitals, and were selected by a committee comprised of leaders in dermatology. Since 1975, the NPF has awarded more than $6 million in grants to support promising psoriasis research. In 2009-2010, the Psoriasis Foundation awarded more than $1.2 million in research grants, the largest yearly amount ever awarded by the Foundation. Psoriasis, which has no cure, is the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the country, affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans.

Instructor of Dermatology Awarded at the International Forum for the Study of Itch

Alexandru Papoiu, M.D., Ph.D., instructor of dermatology, has been awarded the "Handwerker Award" for outstanding oral presentation at the 5th bi-annual International meeting of the International Forum for the Study of Itch in Tokyo, Japan. For the top award of the meeting there were 65 contenders from prestigious research centers from all over the world. This is the top international meeting dedicated to itch research. This work in progress emerges from collaboration with Wake Forest Baptist neuroscientist Robert C. Coghill, Ph.D. and physicist Robert A. Kraft, Ph.D.

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